Beverly parents and students press school committee for LGBTQIA+ advisory council after allegations of anti‑trans bullying
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Summary
Parents, students and staff urged the Beverly Public Schools committee on Nov. 12 to create an LGBTQIA+ parent advisory council and to authorize outside review of reported safety failures; Superintendent Christian Cushing pledged action, cited state law protecting gender‑identity, and said the request will appear on next week’s agenda.
At the Beverly Public Schools School Committee meeting on Nov. 12, 2025, several parents, students and district staff urged the committee to move from promise to practice on protections for LGBTQIA+ students.
Emily Contos, a Beverly parent, told the committee she wants the Feb. 12 resolution supporting LGBTQIA+ students implemented by creating an LGBTQIA+ parent advisory council modeled on the special‑education CPAC: “It will create a structured ongoing partnership between families and the district to inform policy, support inclusion efforts, and ensure that every student and educator feels that they belong,” she said.
Student Abbot Contos described repeated anti‑trans bullying at Beverly Middle School, said it has damaged his mental health and academic engagement, and asked the committee for a public recommitment and concrete supports: “I don’t feel safe at school anymore,” he said. Recent graduate Jayla O’No asked the committee to authorize an independent third‑party investigation into student safety and mandated‑reporting practices, saying internal reviews have been inadequate and urging the board to “not just listen, you will act.”
Parent Cassie Ruel told the committee a substantiated investigation found a paraprofessional had made inappropriate remarks about her child’s orientation and that the district had placed the staff member on leave; she said she has gathered a petition with thousands of signatures supporting a parent advisory council.
Several staff members — including teacher Chris Melanson and staff member Mike Collins — described both positive school events and ongoing staffing and coverage pressures that limit consistent intervention for students. Melanson highlighted $11,000 raised for Nature’s Classroom as an example of community support but warned that intervention resources are stretched thin.
Superintendent Christian Cushing responded by reading a prepared statement he said he wanted on the record. He cited changes to Massachusetts law protecting students from discrimination on the basis of gender identity (referencing General Law, Chapter 76 amendments) and said the district has partnered with DESE’s Safe Schools program and provided targeted professional development. “Our schools must be free of hate and must serve as incubators of compassion, love, understanding, and allyship for LGBTQIA+ students and staff,” Cushing said, adding that transgender youth face higher risk for self‑harm and that the district will continue to pivot to training and supports.
Cushing said the district will study existing models — he noted Sudbury and Worcester — and recommended involving high‑school and middle‑school student representatives in any advisory body. Chair Rachel Abel acknowledged the requests and the committee agreed to place the topic on next week’s agenda for further research and a possible procedural vote.
What’s next: The committee directed staff to return with research and recommended models for an LGBTQIA+ parent advisory council at the next meeting, and the item will appear on the agenda for further consideration.
